Category Archives: Art
A most unusual Haggadah on display in Berkeley
During World War II the man who drew the most piercing caricatures of Adolf Hitler was himself a Jew who had escaped from Nazi-dominated Europe.
Arthur Szyk, who was born in Poland in 1894 and who moved to the United States in 1941, drew international attention for his drawings that lampooned the Axis powers. His work was exhibited at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York, appeared in popular magazines like Time, Collier’s and Esquire, and was reproduced on posters and postcards.
But some of Szyk ‘s work also had a religious tone, and this will be the subject of a talk by Irvin Ungar at Afikomen on Claremont Avenue on April 14th at 5:30 pm. In the 1930s, Szyk made 48 drawings to illustrate a Haggadah, the book Jews use during the Passover service. While the book recounted the Jews’ escape from Egypt and 40 years of wandering, Szyk also included a modern, political touch. … Continue reading »
Street art watch: New image at Ashby and Telegraph
As was mentioned earlier this week, the Berkeley street art scene can be hard to keep up with. And we’re only focusing on one spot.
Berkeleysider “danfang”, author of What I Saw in Berkeley Today, posted the photo above of another image which was put up on the wall of the former photo lab at the corner of Ashby and Telegraph. She writes: “If Munch were alive today he might have described our sorrow about Japan’s … Continue reading »
Street art: Now you see it, now you don’t
Berkeleyside has been keeping tabs on the street art that pops up on the old photo shop at the corner of Ashby and Telegraph. It’s a constantly evolving canvas — to the extent that, since this photo was taken by kukkurovaca, and submitted to the Berkeleyside Flickr pool, that bounding deer (if that is what it is) has already disappeared.
“Mostly I just make cups”: Artist highlights impact of war
By Susan Anglin
Berkeley ceramicist Ehren Tool is less concerned with our position on war, than with making sure that all non-veterans are made very aware of its consequences.
Tool’s vehicle for achieving this end are the thousands upon thousands of clay cups he has thrown, decorated and fired over more than a decade.
Tool has experienced war first-hand. He served as a Marine during Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1991, leaving the Corps in 1994.
His art … Continue reading »
Discoveries while prepping the garden for spring
Berkeleysider Diana Howard created this sketch of what she found while preparing the dirt in her garden for planting this spring.
“I am particularly excited about seeing a Rufous hummingbird, which is a new one for me (usually you get the Allen’s or Anna’s kind). Don’t know how I feel about that scary-looking (yellow & black) Jerusalem cricket though,” she wrote.
An evening of laughter captured on paper
Berkeleysiders came out in force last night to enjoy a wonderful evening of stand-up, courtesy of The Other Café Comedy Showcase, at the Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse.
The talented Diana Howard, a Berkeley resident and freelance designer, created this sketch to commemorate the occasion.
Artist entranced by interplay of light, water and cargo
For the last seven years. Berkeley artist Suzy Barnard has been obsessed by the cargo ships on San Francisco Bay. Each day, as she drives over the Bay Bridge to her studio on the waterfront, she scans the water for ships bringing cargo to unload at the docks. Once she is in front of her easel staring out at the water, she finds herself captivated by the play of light.
“Although my studio is based across the bridge in the city, I’m finding that the commute from Berkeley to my studio is providing much new material for my work,” said Barnard. “I’ve been focused on painting ships and water and weather, which all started when I got a studio at Pier 70, right on the water, looking towards the East Bay. Now, the drive over the bridge often has me ogling the vista from that vantage point, and trying to take rather hit or miss photographs while driving, for reference point for further painting prospects.” … Continue reading »
Student art on display at BIHS exhibition
The fine art program at Berkeley High’s International Baccalaureate school is holding a gala opening reception for an exhibition of student work on Thursday 24th, 6:00-8:30 p.m., at the school’s Community Theater.
The show is open to the public and some of the works will be for sale, with a share of proceeds going back to the art program.
The fine-art classes are taught by Kimberley D’Adamo, who says students have been working towards the annual exhibition for … Continue reading »
The Freedom Buses, with student designs, ready to roll
An AC Transit bus wrapped in artwork commemorating the civil rights movement, created by Berkeley High School Arts and Humanities Academy students, will go on display on March 25 to the public.
The bus is part of the Freedom Bus Project, a joint effort by the Alameda County Office of Education and AC Transit, in conjunction with West Contra Costa Unified School District and Art IS Education. The project honors the 55th anniversary of Rosa Parks’ historic bus ride in Montgomery, Alabama. Project co-chair and AC Transit Board Director, Joel Young, said: “There is a gap in education when it comes to teaching civil rights, and our goal is to bridge that gap by integrating civil rights and the arts.” … Continue reading »
Berkeley’s youth get the chance to shine in two art shows
The Berkeley Arts Center on Walnut Street is showing “Identity: Youth Arts Exhibition” in which K-8 students from the Berkeley Unified School District are presenting artwork based on the theme of identity. Berkeley teachers were selected to curate the student artwork and the exhibition runs through March 20.
Accompanying programs include a day-long family art workshop and music and drama performances.
Meanwhile, the Kala Institute on San Pablo is showing ”Youth Arts Festival: Berkeley High School” through April 8. In partnership with the Arts and Humanities Academy at Berkeley High, Kala’s Artists-in-Schools program has been leading intensive curriculum-driven workshops at each grade level. The student artists/scholars are presenting work that explores immigrant voices, HIV prevention, First Amendment rights in relation to artists, and ways of mapping our local communities. … Continue reading »
